Central Brenta Loop - Orsi Trail

From the "Val Agola - Val Brenta" junction, follow the left forestry road to enter Val Brenta, following SAT trail 323. Cross a small bridge, pass through the clearing near Malga Brenta Bassa, and continue eastward on flat ground and slight ascent to the starting station of the Brentei cable car (1350m).

Leave the forestry road and continue on the trail that climbs with some zigzags the Scala di Brenta (rocky leap that blocks the head of the valley) and continuing with some tiring switchbacks you reach the beautiful upper plateau of Val Brenta.

Cross eastward on flat terrain and quickly arrive at Baito di Brenta Alta (1670m), surrounded by pasture and offering a spectacular view of Crozzon di Brenta. Continue following SAT trail 323 first on flat ground, then uphill.

You reach the left fork to Violi trail (1970m), then with some zigzags gain the terrace where the Brentei refuge stands (2182m), with a beautiful view of Cima Tosa and Crozzon, separated by the superb Canalone Neri.

At the refuge take the trail towards Bocca di Brenta, SAT trail 318, passing in front of the well-known (and often photographed) chapel, then enter the right side valley of the upper Val Brenta. Continue uphill passing the feet of some spectacular Brenta spires, including Torre Prati, Bimbo di Monaco, Campanil Alto, and Campanil Basso.

Arriving at the head of Val Brenta, enclosed between the walls of Brenta Alta, Bassa, and Cima Margherita, step onto and cross the small snowfield (or what's left of it), then, aided by a fixed cable, overcome a leap of easy rocks interspersed with detrital ledges. Shortly after, passing another small snowfield and the remaining elevation difference (on the left begins the Central Bocchette route), you reach Bocca di Brenta (2552m) between the peaks Brenta Alta and Bassa.

Descend slightly eastward and take an obvious ledge leading to the nearby Pedrotti refuge. From Pedrotti refuge descend north toward Val delle Seghe; shortly after passing in front of Tosa refuge (2439m), reach the starting junction of the Orsi trail (SAT 303).

Go left and follow the Orsi trail first descending in a gully among rocks, then flat crossing screes and grassy terraces at the base of the east side of Cima Brenta Alta, with magnificent views over Val delle Seghe.

Now heading east, approach Busa degli Sfulmini (or Massodi) with splendid views of the superb north face of Cima Brenta Alta and the beautiful eastern slopes of Campanil Basso and Alto.

Keep moving north through the lower part of the basin, bypass a shoulder of Cima degli Armi (PHOTO 12), and with gentle ups and downs reach Busa del Castellaz (or degli Armi 2450m) with a new wide splendid view of the surrounding peaks.

With gentle but constant ascent cross the basin and reach the saddle between Punta Iolanda and Punta Mezzana where the rocky ledge called Sega Alta begins (2620m); superb views towards the Gaiarda and Altissimo subgroups and the Val Perse valley.

Traverse the easy ledge equipped with fixed cable on flat ground. After the ledge, descend with some turns about 100 meters of elevation (some sections equipped), then cross north at the base of the imposing east face of Cima Brenta; be careful on this stretch: some meters have loose ground and possibly slippery snow patches.

Reach the base of the gully leading to Bocca di Tuckett. Fatiguingly, following the trail (signs), ascend west along the gully with unstable scree and/or snow depending on conditions, reaching Bocca di Tuckett (2648m); the upper part has a fixed metal cable against the rocks of the southeast face of Cima Sella.

Westwards, descend the snowy ramp of Vedretta di Tuckett (caution late season and/or with little snow and emerging ice, crampons may be necessary). Staying to the right, at the base of the glacier on the right you can easily spot cairns and the trail leading to the Tuckett and Q. Sella refuges (2272m). New splendid views of the surrounding peaks, especially the north side of Cima Brenta.

Follow the descending trail SAT 317, which gently slopes to refuge Casinei, through meadows and rocks, rhododendrons and larches, then into the forest.

From Casinei refuge, it is possible to descend directly via the well-used SAT 317 trail to the Vallesinella parking lot. Here it is described and recommended to follow the alternative 317bis trail, slightly longer but allowing you to pass and admire the Vallesinella Upper Waterfalls, particularly suggestive karst springs early in the season. At the height of Casinei refuge, the 317bis trail departs to the right, descending gently through the forest northeast with a wide curve leading to the lower edge of the Malga Vallesinella di Sopra pasture.

At the fork near the hut, turn left (leaving SAT 317bis) following signs for the Upper Waterfalls; travel the scenic and relaxing trail that slopes downward through small bridges and ladders at the base of the waterfalls.

Leaving the waterfalls shortly, you reach the forestry road which, with slight ups and downs, passing the start station of the Tuckett refuge cable car, leads to the Vallesinella parking lot.

Cross the parking lot and just after entering the asphalt road leading to M. di Campiglio, turn left and take the mule track that leads to the Middle Waterfalls (signs).

Upon reaching the bar, instead of continuing on the mule track, pass in front of the bar and take the trail at the base of the Middle Waterfalls (SAT trail 381).

Cross south at the base of the Middle Waterfalls and following the trail gently descend through the woods until you reach a forestry road.

Follow the forestry road downhill which quickly returns to Malga Brenta Bassa and the starting point.